Looking at the massive slab of dragon meat hurtling toward him like a meteor, Michael felt a bit panicked. He didn’t know if this soul-form body of his could be injured by this kind of attack.
If not, then there was no problem, but if the opposite were true, he’d definitely be obliterated. Based on his physical sense, he was stronger now than when he was on Earth. But he was still within the realm of a mortal, not even a contractor.
"Damn it, let me go right now."
A clapping sound rang out, and the massive slab of meat disappeared right in front of Michael. Immediately after, the laughter of Cook God echoed in his ears.
"Ha ha ha, just messing with you. Besides, your soul-form can’t be hurt. You might not realize it, but your soul is especially well-protected. Even though I’m also a god, I’m not as well-protected as you are."
"Huh?"
Hearing that, Michael was stunned for a few seconds before he understood. It was true that he had one advantage over the gods on this continent—indestructibility. There really was no way to kill a genie.
Of course, being imprisoned in a magic lamp for a thousand years didn’t count as an advantage. But when it came to longevity, the gods on this continent were clearly far inferior to him, provided he didn’t meet someone who wanted to become a genie too soon.
"Can’t you let me go? Ever since I got here, I’ve been able to move my body a little, but I can’t actually move."
"Ah, well..."
Cook God started to speak but didn’t know where to begin. His hesitation left Michael utterly confused.
According to Michael, this whole space should be under Cook God’s control. Wasn’t it just a matter of his will for Michael to be able to move freely?
"Hey, what’s going on?"
Michael really wanted to know the answer. Even if he couldn’t move, he should at least be given a reason. He didn’t like being kept in the dark like this. Even if the truth was terrible, he still wanted to hear it.
"Actually, it’s not my fault. Earlier, someone made a hole in this space and shoved you in to patch it. You can’t move because you’re the ’patch’ for this space."
???
That was a bit too much information. Who was the ’patch’ for this space? Was this what the system called arranging a meeting with a god?
"System! You absolute bastard!"
Michael was sure the system was using this chance to get back at him. Trying to humiliate a genie by turning him into a ’patch’.
"System? Is that the name of a god too? That one’s power is no joke. According to the original plan, I was supposed to be in this space waiting for the chosen one to inherit my power.
But you directly broke a hole to get in, and destiny changed right at that moment. The chosen one who was about to appear died as soon as they were born."
"Huh?"
What Cook God said left Michael completely stunned. He hadn’t thought that so many things would happen just because he appeared here at this time.
A child was born and died immediately... That was the system’s fault. What did it have to do with him? Of course, he’d take the benefits, but he wouldn’t take responsibility.
Inheriting Cook God’s power was a good thing, so Michael wasn’t foolish enough to refuse it. He was a righteous man, so this whole thing was entirely the system’s fault. It was because the system acted on its own without discussing it with him first.
Cook God, hearing Michael’s inner thoughts, twitched at the corners of his mouth. He really didn’t understand why Michael could come up with so many excuses to justify himself like that.
"You are a god. So aside from one thing, you don’t need to worry about anything else."
Being a god himself, Cook God had understood this since birth, and the gods he knew also understood it. Only Michael was a strange god. Clearly he was a god, yet he was a bit too ’mortal’.
"Worry about what?"
Michael frowned and asked. He felt this answer would help him understand more clearly what he truly was.
"Gods are born because this world needs them. Responsibility is the only important thing a god needs to worry about, no matter how many years pass. The day a god has no more responsibilities is the day that god disappears."
These words made Michael feel extremely confused. What responsibility? He wanted to be a genie wasn’t actually to shoulder any responsibility.
"You died, so you..."
Michael was about to say it outright but thought better of it and decided to save Cook God some face, so he didn’t finish the sentence.
"That’s right. My responsibility ended back then. Actually, the god who sacrificed their soul to kill me also understood it was time for both of us to die. But my power was still needed for this world, so that’s why a successor was needed."
Cook God spoke calmly about his own death. Not a single hint of dissatisfaction could be seen in his words or actions.
"Gods aren’t that free? If I don’t want any responsibility, wouldn’t I still live well with such great power?"
Michael really didn’t get it. Right now, he felt being a demigod, leisurely wandering around the continent, seemed more comfortable than being a god.
"Ha ha ha ha... You’re so strange. You’re a god, yet you don’t understand anything about gods. Gods are always free because responsibility is a god’s reason for living, so there’s no uncomfortable feeling at all. Besides, what do you think gods rely on to live so long?"
???
Suddenly being asked this left Michael speechless. What the hell did he know? Initially, he only thought that being a genie would let him live a really long time and visit many worlds to see the sights.
"I don’t know. Say what you want to say, quickly. I’m just a useless god right now, so don’t expect much from me."
Since he couldn’t answer, he just gave up. Answering wrong would be even more embarrassing. Better to admit he didn’t know and save a little face.