Nol couldn't remember the last time he had stayed overnight at his parents' home.
It must have been during the last winter break of university.
His room was still set up like it was during his university days, with the standard desk, wardrobe, and bed layout, all meticulously maintained by his parents. Nol was quite tall, so his family had specially prepared a one-and-a-half-meter bed that now just managed to squeeze in both him and Teest.
At the moment, Teest was lying beside him, an arm draped over Nol's waist. The room was dim, lit only by the silver moonlight seeping in through the window.
The only sound was the ticking of the second hand of the clock. The faint snoring of his father from the next room didn't arise—Nol reflexively remembered that his father snored at night.
[It seems the impact was quite significant.] Teest seemed to read his thoughts.
Not just significant, Nol couldn't help but fall into reminiscence—
Before entering the house, Teest had proposed other options.
After finding out about the acceptance of same-sex partners on Earth, he had suggested ideas like: "You can use 'reversion' on me. I don't mind pretending to be Teesti, honey," "I could turn into a cat and follow you, and you can say it was a joke," "You could also make an excuse that I'm busy elsewhere and go back alone," "You wouldn't use mind magic on them, would you?" …and so on.
Perhaps a gradual approach was a better idea, Nol thought.
But he couldn't bear the thought of Teest waiting outside alone while he staged a heartwarming reunion at home—Nol still remembered the subtle emotions on Teest's face after he returned from his solo reversion.
"I trust my parents," Nol had replied. "And only if I introduce you seriously will they understand how determined I am."
…But even a god felt nervous in front of his own parents!
The moment Nol and Teest stepped in, his parents instinctively looked behind them, trying to spot a non-existent girl. After a few seconds, it finally dawned on them, and they froze in place.
Nol stood ramrod straight. He hadn't even been this tense during the divine war.
He had always been the proverbial "child from someone else's home".
The best high school, the best university. If not for Star Stealer Sol whisking him away right after graduation, he would surely have landed a job at the best company. During that time, let alone clashes with classmates or romance in school, he didn't even go through a rebellious phase. If there was a "Most Worry-Free Children List" in City A, Nol would definitely rank in the top three.
And so, the family continued their bland daily life.
But the good son who had just graduated brought home a foreign man, seemingly intent on settling down.
Father Xu was so shocked that he belched twice, nearly fainting. Mother Xu kept exclaiming, "Oh dear, oh dear," and didn't know where to put her hands.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back." Nol took a deep breath and spoke formally.
As he entered, he deliberately grabbed Teest's hand, pulling his knight inside.
Father Xu was still in a daze, and Mother Xu responded somewhat vacantly, "Sit. Everyone sit."
"How did you two, uh, how did you…"
As soon as they sat on the sofa, Mother Xu started stammering.
"I went on an internship during university and met him there." Nol managed to fib without changing his expression. "He is indeed a foreigner and plans to settle in City A."
"You've decided to settle down already?"
Father Xu finally snapped out of his dazed state, his face tensing up. "What about his parents?"
Nol: "He—"
Teest offered his trademark harmless smile, interrupting Nol. "I'm an orphan, sir. My parents passed away when I was seven, and I have no other relatives. I can live anywhere."
Father Xu, Mother Xu: "..."
Mother Xu gave Father Xu a slightly reproachful look, her attitude softened considerably. Father Xu muttered an apology, somewhat deflated, and sat down.
"I met your son at work, and we went through some minor accidents together, developing feelings," Teest continued politely. "He is the most remarkable person I've ever met… Believe me, I have questioned my feelings many times, but I am now very sure that I want to spend my life with him."
His tone was particularly sincere toward the end. Combined with that face, his persuasiveness was undeniable.
Mother Xu couldn't help but look at her son.
"I'm serious, Mom." Nol nodded at her. "You all know me. I've never been one to act on impulse."
Mother Xu sighed and was silent for a long while.
"You look much better than last time," she said, finally smiling again. "There's light in your eyes, your face is bright, and you look sturdy."
Nol: "..." Sorry, Mom, that's probably because I became a god.
"And you seem very happy." Mother Xu cleared her throat with some difficulty. "Son, you've grown up so much, and I've never seen you this happy… Actually, your dad and I have always been quite worried, thinking you lived too rigidly to have any taste of life."
"You're an adult now, and who you spend your life with is your business. It's good this way. Now you both are in City A, and we can see you anytime, which spares us unnecessary worry."
"Right, right, it's just all so sudden," Father Xu muttered. "Your mom and I need some time to adjust, and don't take it to heart and just live your lives."
Nol opened his mouth several times, sighing heavily, before he could finally make a sound.
"I—I will visit you every week." His voice was slightly hoarse. "I really am doing very well."
Teest didn't speak further, just silently observed. His hand remained tightly clasped around Nol's, never letting go.
...
[The cakes here are really good.] Teest's thoughts broke the memory, as he snuggled deeper into the bedding. [I didn't expect your family to prepare a cake.]
Nol: "That's just how we celebrate in our family. Seeing my mom's reaction, she actually likes you quite a bit. They just don't know you yet, but they will after we meet every week."
[Are you sure you want them to know me?] Teest exclaimed in shock.
[…Just remember to keep up the disguise.] Nol broke into a cold sweat, thinking of his parents' well-being.
[You'll see.]
Suddenly, Nol's phone vibrated. He casually opened the notification and immediately saw a new message from his mother.
Mom: [You two live well, work well. If anyone talks nonsense, don't take it to heart.]
Mom: [Don't overthink it. Your dad and I definitely support you.]
Mom: [Go to sleep early.]
Nol turned off his phone and buried his face into Teest's chest.
"What's wrong?" This time, Teest asked aloud.
"I was just thinking, my life plan hasn't really changed that much," Nol responded in a muffled voice. "I now have vast wealth, a stable job, parents who love me, and someone I love."
Over the past year, although events had shattered all his plans, he had never felt more content.
Nol knew that at this very moment, another version of himself was imprisoned in Joy Garden, taking his first steps toward hardship. He couldn't interfere with that inevitable tragedy—just as he couldn't prevent Teest from falling into darkness in his reversion.
But that didn't matter.
Because they both knew they would have an ending far beyond their imaginations.
"Good night, Teest."
"Good night, Nol."
...
In the ruins of Bissus City, Tahe.
A dirty cat paw scratched around, finally managing to clear the debris. With a rustling sound, a dusty white cat emerged from the rubble. The current Eternal Pope, Fischer, licked his paw, suddenly realizing a huge problem.
His God seemed to be absent. How was he supposed to revert to his original form?
What was the Eternal Church's plan for him next? Lord Teest?
The white cat sat dumbfounded atop the ruins, eyes following the passersby.
"Lady Tilia has issued an oracle. The first time that Her Ladyship has directly done so!" a temple knight said jubilantly. "Thanks to the heroes who eradicated the Demon King, Lady Tilia was able to regain her power."
"There's been no word from the Eternal Church, and Anstis hasn't recovered. It's embarrassing how they promoted that false god—all these years it was clearly Lady Tilia who suppressed the Demon King!"
"The trees near Bissus that were charred are sprouting leaves again. It's a miracle…"
The white cat bristled, hissing.
You fools. The true gods are clearly Lord Teest and Lord Nol, whom he follows! What is this Tilia in comparison?
Unfortunately, the two temple knights had moved on, and now several bishops approached.
"Lord Eugene is truly blessed by God. He had just assumed the papacy when our God issued an oracle. Did you hear—" one bishop whispered. "Lady Tilia said there are two Gods above Her."
"Isn't Lady Tilia the highest god? Could it be, um, someone impersonating…"
"Lady Tilia's words are beyond doubt!" another bishop raised his sparse-haired head. "Her words are so merciful… You all saw that vibrant divine power. Such blessings have never appeared before at the altar!"
The white cat's bristling fur settled a bit. Speaking the truth, it seems this Goddess of Life is one of us… Huh?
A hand gripped the scruff of his neck mercilessly and lifted him.
"Fischer Reginald."
Eugene—the current Pope of Life, spoke in an icy tone that came from his hood. "What are you doing here?"
"Meow!"
Fischer was on the verge of tears, never imagining his historic encounter between the Eternal Church and the Temple of Life would be so dismal.
Eugene: "…"
Desperately, Fischer waved his paws. "Meow! Meow!"
Eugene's face under the hood twisted briefly as he deftly cast a dispelling spell. The next second, a dusty Fischer lay sprawled on the ground.
Swish!
The imposing "Dominator" landed next to Fischer. Instinctively trying to retaliate with dark magic, Fischer then remembered he was in the stronghold of the Temple of Life.
The Eternal Pope wisely retracted his hand, continuing to feign death.
"Answer me, where is the Lost Tower?" Eugene asked, enunciating each word.
The author has a word to say:
Nol: They just don't understand you yet.
Nol:
Nol: Please, don't let them really understand you. (Pupils quaking)
Teest: ☆-∑(>ω0)b
Kinky Thoughts:
With this, we've reached the conclusion. Next comes the epilogue and extras. To recap the entire story in case there are some who are still confused:
Nol was developing what he thought was a game called "Tahe World". When the game launched, he suddenly found he had transmigrated into the game as one of the monsters, along with all his neighbors in Joy Garden.
In order to figure out what's going on, he sets out on an adventure, meeting Teest along the way. Through each arc where they accomplish quests set by the system, they manage to piece together clues about the reality of this "game" and unanswered questions Teest was looking for.
The truth behind the world is that Tahe is actually a real world, not just a game. The people who "transmigrated" into the game are, in a sense, sort of transmigration but not.
Star Stealer Sol, an alien entity, is the mastermind behind everything. He kidnapped Nol, brainwashed him, and manipulated him into creating "Tahe World". By infusing him with flesh from many alien "gods" Nol gained the power of Creation, creating what he thought was a game but an actual real world.
Star Stealer Sol's goal was, once the world Nol created was complete, to take control of the world and the world's authority (the system) and become ruler of that world. He had failed three times before this (the ancient Demon King, which was made up of three other earthlings) as the world they created wasn't viable and collapsed.
Once Nol had successfully created "Tahe World" (game launch), Star Stealer Sol destroyed the entire community so there would be no evidence of his meddling. However, before he got a chance to kill Nol, Nol received power from the Pillar of the World. It was one of the god flesh he was infused with.
Using its power, Nol managed to circumvent Star Stealer Sol's overtaking of the system and save his neighbors (by basically cutting off their heads before they die, preserving their memories, and incorporating it into the bodies of monsters in Tahe).
However, this circumvention didn't stop Star Stealer Sol. He still gained partial administrator rights to the system, and using it, he used the "Players" from Earth, who thought they were play-testing a game, and basically prevented them from logging out. Manipulating the system to issue quests, he hoped to use the Players to kill the ancient Demon King (failed creators) and the newly born Demon King (Nol) so he could finally gain full rights to the system.
When Nol landed in Tahe after saving and transferring the data of all his neighbors into monsters, he was met with a group of people. A woman begged him to save her child, to which he gave up the flesh of the Pillar of the World (and immortality). The child was ultimately saved, and their people began worshiping him as a god. Their people eventually passed on the Pillar of the World gene into Tahe, which spawned the birth of the White Demons.
These are essentially people of Tahe but had the ability of "reload" once, like Players who are immortal and can't die in the "game", marked by their silver hair, and we come to find that this is the ancestry origin of Teest.
Meanwhile, Nol abandoned his "true body" that's sewn with a bunch of god corpses as he was going to devolve into endless madness and be killed by Star Stealer Sol and created an avatar for himself. This avatar became the will-o'-wisp we saw in chapter 1 to trick Star Stealer Sol into thinking he had killed Nol's true body (and thus Nol, the creator of Tahe). As a reminder, true death can only come when both the avatar or the true body of the god is destroyed. In Nol's case, he abandoned his true body and let that die and push his consciousness into his avatar. In the case of Star Stealer Sol, when Billy found out his true body was under attack, he abandoned his avatar and push his consciousness back into his true body. Unaware that Nol did this, Star Stealer Sol thought he had killed Nol's true body (which is why he didn't target Nol when they first met, since he didn't think that was the God of Creation).
Not only did Star Stealer Sol manipulate the Players, he also manipulated the inhabitants of Tahe, becoming the pillars of two of the of the strongest good and evil religions in Tahe. Using "oracles" that he stole after defeating another "god", Perradat, he started his "domestication" plan to shackle all people in Tahe under a power system that could never reach "godhood" so he would go unopposed.
Unfortunately, Teest had an oracle bestowed upon him by the Eternal Church, which resulted in the massacre of his family. Captured by the Eternalist, he went through a forced transformation into a Supplement Demon, which we later find out is a potion extracted from Nol himself by Star Stealer Sol, who was infused with countless bodies of gods.
With the mystery uncovered, Nol and Teest, along with the group of people they met along the way, set out to destroy Star Stealer Sol. They had to both kill its "true body" and its avatar, which was revealed to be Enbillick Alva.
A divine war ensued, resulting in the defeat of Star Stealer Sol. Nol regained his full authority over the system as the God of Creation (aka the system administrator) and using that power, he was able to log out the Players and send back his neighbors to earth.
Teest became the God of Destruction, rivaling Nol's power, and together they set up two pantheons where they recruited other gods to serve under them (mainly to manage Tahe because it wasn't Nol's strongpoint and Teest was too lazy and not interested to bother).
All in all, a happy ending. I've glossed over many points and probably missed some, but there's so much to summarize in a 200+ chapter novel. Which is quite a shame because there're so many minor points that get brought back after everything comes full circle (like how Teest choose the ring color and his profession).
You're welcome to join my Discord server to discuss or leave a comment if you're still confused about some concepts or plot points that didn't make sense to you.