I’m the God and This World Is Doomed

Just as Serian turned to leave, his sharp eyes caught a pair of glowing crimson ones staring straight at him. A man stood a few meters away, his gun raised and aimed directly at Serian's forehead.

The atmosphere shifted.

The soldiers, who had just been recovering from Serian's display, froze in terror. Some even took a step back, their expressions filled with shock and fear. The man before them wasn't just anyone.

The Executioner.

Vincent Rutherford.

One of the Three Grand Cardinals. A man known for his ruthlessness, his precision, and his absolute authority in dealing with mutants. His presence alone made the air feel heavier, suffocating.

Yet, Serian? He only stared at the gun aimed at him, his expression remaining completely calm, as if he had just been asked for directions.

The Executioner narrowed his crimson eyes. "Affiliation?" His voice was deep, cold, and laced with an undeniable authority.

Serian blinked. "Affliction?"

Vincent frowned slightly. "Affiliation," he repeated, slower this time, his finger still on the trigger.

Serian tilted his head slightly. He still didn't understand. He had no 'affiliation' with anyone. Was that important?

Seeing that Serian wasn't responding, Vincent's eyes darkened, his grip on the gun tightening. "State your rank. Your purpose here."

Serian remained unfazed. Instead, he casually reached into his pocket and pulled out his ID card, holding it up for Vincent to see.

Vincent took it with his free hand, his crimson eyes scanning over the information. Serian. Student Candidate. No registered faction. No recorded abilities.

A student?

Vincent's expression didn't change, but an idea suddenly formed in his mind. If this odd, detached young man was a student candidate, then he wasn't his concern. Yet.

He lowered his gun slightly but didn't put it away. "You're from the academy?"

Serian nodded. "Apparently."

The soldiers around them twitched. Apparently?!

Vincent continued to stare at him, his expression unreadable. This kid was... strange. He had just casually killed a powerful mutant with nothing but a book. He had stood there, unaffected, while others screamed and ran. And now, even with a gun pointed at his head, he showed no fear.

Not even an ounce of it.

Most people would be trembling, barely able to speak. Yet this student candidate stood before him with the same unshaken, indifferent gaze as before.

Interesting.

Vincent smirked slightly. He had met all kinds of people in his life—warriors, nobles, criminals, monsters. But this was something else entirely.

"You're lucky," Vincent finally said, tossing the ID card back to Serian. "If you weren't an academy candidate, I'd have you interrogated for obstruction."

Serian caught the card and nodded. "Okay."

The soldiers collectively sucked in a breath.

Okay?! Just 'okay'?!

Vincent raised an eyebrow. "No questions?"

Serian blinked once. "Why would I?"

Vincent chuckled lightly. It was brief, almost inaudible, but the fact that it happened at all was enough to send shivers down the soldiers' spines. The Executioner didn't laugh. Ever.

Vincent studied Serian for a moment longer before finally lowering his gun. He had decided. This kid wasn't worth the trouble today.

"Stay out of my way," Vincent said simply before turning away.

Serian watched as the man walked off, effortlessly cutting down the remaining mutants like a farmer harvesting crops.

The soldiers, still stiff with fear, hesitated before scrambling to follow Vincent's orders, tending to the wounded and clearing the area.

Yet the tension in the air remained.

Serian, however, had already dismissed the entire interaction from his mind. For him, that man was just another human. A human that, no matter how strong, would one day die like all the others.

With that thought, Serian turned and continued his journey back.

*****

Later that night, as he returned home, Adrian was waiting for him.

"You're back late," Adrian commented, arms crossed. "Did you get into trouble?"

"No," Serian replied, setting his bag down.

Adrian narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you on the news?"

Serian blinked. "News?"

Adrian sighed, rubbing his temples before turning on the television.

The screen lit up, displaying footage of today's events.

There he was, standing calmly while Vincent Rutherford pointed a gun at his head. The headline flashed across the screen.

Executioner Vincent Rutherford Intercepts Unaffiliated Student—A New Scandal?

Serian tilted his head, watching as the newscasters debated whether Vincent had gone too far or if Serian was a dangerous individual.

Then, another segment played. This time, it showed Vincent finishing off the last of the mutants, his movements swift and ruthless.

Serian's violet eyes flickered with recognition.

Oh. That man.

He had seen him before. Back in the city, in the café.

Adrian clicked his tongue. "That man is Vincent Rutherford. One of the Three Grand Cardinals. He's affiliated with the Holy Order. You know, the people who serve God."

Serian's eyes lingered on the screen, watching the Executioner's crimson eyes glow under the streetlights. A man who served God?

How ironic.

For the very God he served was the one he had just threatened hours ago.

Serian sat down, resting his chin on his hand, watching the news with quiet amusement. Humans were fascinating, truly.

*****

Serian stood beneath the towering branches of Yggdrasill, its leaves glowing softly like distant stars in the night sky. He recognized this place immediately—this was how he knew he was dreaming. The ancient tree's presence surrounded him, a silent guardian that had existed since time immemorial.

Looking up at the vast canopy, Serian spoke, his voice calm but questioning. "Does God exist in this world?"

Ygdrassil remained silent. No words, no whispers, just the rustling of its leaves carried by an unseen wind.

Serian waited, but as always, there was no answer. He sighed softly, already expecting this outcome. If Ygdrassil did not speak, then there was no use in asking further. Closing his eyes, he let the dream fade, and when he opened them again, he was back in his room.

The first thing he saw was the calendar. His gaze fell on today's date—the second entrance examination. A survival exam.

Serian sat up and stretched, his silver hair falling over his shoulders. Survival, huh? He thought about it while packing his bag.

"The world sure is big," he murmured to himself as he neatly placed a few books inside. Though, compared to the endless sky of the Astral World, this human world felt... rich. Full of life and movement. It was different, but not in a bad way.

As he continued packing, his thoughts drifted. Humans placed great importance on many strange things. He still didn't understand why saluting was necessary or why people insisted on titles and honorifics. They were all humans, weren't they?

By the time he was ready, Adrian was already waiting for him outside. The man stood with his usual composed expression, arms crossed as he observed Serian approach.

"Don't die," Adrian said in his usual blunt tone as Serian walked past him.

Serian glanced at him and tilted his head. "Humans are fragile," he replied. "But I am not dying."

Adrian sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's a saying."

Serian nodded, though he still didn't quite understand why humans spoke in such indirect ways.

Adrian drove him to the examination site, the journey mostly quiet except for the occasional glance Adrian gave him through the rearview mirror. When they arrived, Adrian parked the car and looked at him. "Do your best," he said, though his tone was more like an order than encouragement.

Serian just nodded, shouldering his bag as he stepped out. "I will survive," he stated simply.

Adrian stared at him for a moment before sighing again. "That's… not the point, but whatever."

Serian didn't reply. He simply turned and walked toward the entrance, blending into the sea of students gathering for the exam. Humans were strange, but that was fine. He had plenty of time to observe and understand them.

*****

The candidates stood in neat rows, their gazes fixed ahead as the officers gave a final motivational speech.

"Remember! This isn't just a survival test—it's a test of your strength, intelligence, and ability to adapt. Out there, no one will hold your hand. You must rely on yourself and your team!"

The students shouted in unison, "Yes, sir!" and saluted.

Serian blinked. What? Why are they raising their hands like that?

Confused but not wanting to stand out, he slowly lifted his hand and mimicked the salute, though his movements were slightly delayed and awkward.

Some students nearby gave him strange looks, but he ignored them. Humans have odd habits.

—

After the speech, they were led to the weapon station. Students rushed to grab weapons—swords, bows, daggers, and even firearms. Some even picked up survival kits, stuffing their bags with essentials like food rations, tents, and medical supplies.

Serian, however, simply turned and walked away.

While the others were still busy packing, he made his way toward the entrance of the forest.

A group of seniors stood there, acting as guards and supervisors. As Serian approached, they recognized him immediately.

"Hey, isn't that the guy from the news?"

"Yeah, the one who had a gun to his head and didn't even flinch?"

"What the hell is he doing? He's not even carrying anything!"

Indeed, Serian wasn't holding a weapon, a bag, or even basic supplies. The only thing he had with him was a thick book, which he held casually in one hand, and a long trench winter coat draped over his shoulders.

One of the seniors, a tall man with a scar on his cheek, stepped forward. "Oi, kid. You sure you're ready for this?"

Serian tilted his head. "Ready for what?"

The senior frowned. "The survival exam? Three days in the forest? No food, no shelter, and monsters everywhere?"

Serian blinked. "I know."

The senior gave him an exasperated look. "Then where's your tent?"

Serian glanced at the trees. "There."

The senior's eye twitched. "And water?"

"River."

"...Weapons?"

Serian lifted his book slightly.

There was a long silence.

One of the seniors sighed, rubbing his temples. "Kid, do you even understand what survival means?"

Serian thought for a moment. "To live?"

The senior groaned.

"Look, I don't care how strong you think you are, but going in unprepared is stupid. What if a monster ambushes you?"

Serian blinked. "Then I will kill it."

The seniors exchanged looks. Some were annoyed, some were amused, and some just gave up.

"Arrogant brat," one muttered.

"Whatever, let's just get this started. If he wants to get himself killed, that's on him."

When the time came, the students were finally given permission to enter the forest.

Most of them adjusted their backpacks, tightened their belts, and prepared for the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, Serian simply adjusted his coat, held his book, and stepped forward without hesitation.

The seniors watched him go, shaking their heads.

"That guy's gonna be bear food by morning."

"Or he'll freeze to death."

"Or starve."

"...Or somehow come out completely fine."

They all turned to look at the last person who spoke.

The senior shrugged. "You saw the news, right? That guy just stood there while the Executioner had a gun to his head. Either he's insane, or he's actually strong."

The others couldn't argue with that.

Still, as they watched Serian disappear into the forest, they couldn't help but think—

That kid is seriously weird.