Chapter 639

Chapter 639: Director, Why Hasn’t This Month’s Salary Been Paid Yet!?

"Director!"

"This month’s wages—why haven’t they been paid?"

A larger Outer Predator · Fang Tribe member shifted into a light-robed young man, glaring furiously at the Director.

His eyes blazed with anger!

As Barbatos’s former "darling," the Core Statistical Bureau’s office stood within the Barbatos domain, right beside the core council hall and Barbatos’s chamber.

This let the bureau’s core staff report intelligence to Barbatos anytime.

But this arrangement was ending.

The "office" buzzed with activity as high-ranking Outer Predators packed frantically for relocation.

With the Outer Gods from the Void pledging renewed loyalty, Outer Predators mattered less to Barbatos.

They still had some uses, though.

The Outer Gods’ divine bodies were tiny, often lacking divine presence.

This made them decent at collecting intelligence, but useless for negotiating with other realms’ deities…

They’d likely be ignored or even seen as an insult.

So Outer Predators still served as Barbatos’s diplomats—speed mattered for messengers.

Their reduced role meant budget cuts.

Not only was the "office" changing, but the generous support for Outer Predators would shrink too.

"Demanding resources from me is useless," the Director said, shrugging helplessly.

"Can’t you see we’re being kicked out of our comfortable rooms for those void bugs?

"Leave. You’ll get nothing here!

"If you’re desperate…

"find other ways to survive.

"Go."

The Director waved dismissively at the wage-seeking Fang Tribe member.

He missed the hatred flashing in the Fang Tribe’s eyes—not just anger over unpaid wages!

The Fang Tribe recalled how this "Director" rose: he’d tricked former Rodent Gods into delivering messages to colossal deities.

His kin paid dearly in that sacrifice, yet this Outer Predator’s promises went unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, he’d used his kin’s blood to earn Barbatos’s trust and seize the bureau’s leadership!

"Bugs!"

The Fang Tribe deity spat softly before turning away.

His resentful expression twisted into a savage grin the moment his back faced the Director!

"Hmph…"

"Such small things are the real vermin!"

The Director heard the curse from the Fang Tribe deity but didn’t take it seriously.

It was feeling quite pleased at the moment.

Its hand slipped into the pocket.

"Clink, clink…"

The crisp sound of numerous "gold coins" clashing echoed.

In Barbatos domain, "gold coins" represented shards of divine rank.

Meaning…

"Just a swarm of insects."

"Though the great First Demon God claimed this was meant for you,"

"how many fragments could each deity possibly get with so many ‘shards of divine rank’ scattered?"

"Probably worthless."

"Why not gather them all for me? I’ll grow stronger on your behalf!"

"Consider this…"

"a modest compensation for my office relocation."

"Hahahahaha…"

The First Demon God hadn’t completely severed the Outer Predators’ resources, but couldn’t prevent subordinate deities from hoarding!

……

"Creak—!"

It pushed the door open, revealing the group of Outer Predators gazing expectantly, awaiting "good news" and "wages."

Instantly, its expression shifted from ecstasy back to indignation.

"Comrades!"

The young Fang Tribe deity called out to the Outer Predators.

"My apologies…"

"No resources remain for us here!"

These words immediately caused an uproar among the Outer Predators.

"What!? No resources!?"

"No shards of divine rank? Not even forbidden knowledge fragments to strengthen our divine bodies!?"

"What kind of operation is this!?"

"Exactly! We traveled far to handle dirty work and Tiring work – is this our reward?"

……

Dissatisfaction was spreading.

Members of the Fang Tribe hiding among the Outer Predators began fanning the flames as planned.

"This is deceit!"

"Betrayal!"

"That’s right! Did they think we’d fall for this?"

"We can’t accept this! We demand answers from the First Demon God!"

"Otherwise we’ll never swallow this insult!"

"Let’s go! To the Demon God Realm! Find the First Demon God!"

As the Outer Predators’ fury peaked, their representative stepped forward again, blocking the path.

"Friends!"

"Listen!"

"What good comes of confronting the First Demon God?"

"You know His temperament! Anger Him, and whether we’re right or wrong, we’ll all suffer!"

His words silenced the crowd.

Truth.

The First Demon God’s power dwarfed all others. His mere aura made every deity tremble—except the core councilors.

As for Outer Predators…

Truthfully, they ranked among the lowliest deities.

If Barbatos flew into rage, His wrathful aura would leak regardless of its target. Such overwhelming pressure would crush these Outer Predators—beings barely stronger than Secondary Gods.

At best, their Souls would waver, leaving them disoriented for ages while their power waned. At worst? Soul-shattering. Straight to death’s door.

No "ICU" existed here. Only the slow wait for oblivion.

"Then… what can we do?"

"Should we just endure this humiliation?!"

The young deity raised his hand, pressing downward to quiet his companions.

"Friends."

"Remember why we came?"

"Running errands. Just scraping together resources."

"The Chaos Council and First Demon God won’t hear reason."

"Reason’s useless here."

"Cut our losses. Find new patrons!"

Suddenly a voice cut through the gathering of deities:

"And where would those new patrons be?"

That was such a good question!

The young deity grinned.

"Yes, absolutely!"

"As the saying goes, ‘a wise bird chooses a good tree to perch on.’"

"If this place won’t keep me, I’ll find…"

—-

"Very well. From now on, all intelligence given to Barbatos must first pass through my revisions before being reported."

Upon the branches of the Fantasy Tree of Subspace, Lady Xidi stood proudly in her beautiful divine form, issuing commands to the humble Outer Gods from the Void.

Though Lady Xidi had exempted these Outer Gods from grand pilgrimages, she still held the authority of the void.

Orders issued with this authority were utterly irresistible to the Outer Gods.

Moreover, Lady Xidi wasn’t nearly as stingy as Barbatos.

Because…

"If you perform well, while I can’t offer payment, I can introduce you to the Giant God!"

"You know of the Giant God, yes?"

At the mention of "Giant God," the Outer Gods surged with excitement.

Everyone knew the Giant God possessed the transformative power to reshape divine bodies!

Even if unwilling to modify forms directly, His mortal spawn offered immense benefits to deities!

For many gods uninterested in expanding their Souls or strengthening divine bodies, this surpassed even "shards of divine rank" in value!

"Your generosity astonishes us!"

"Of course, we shall follow your commands."

"Your word is my fate!"

Lady Xidi nodded, satisfied.

"Carry my message to your kin, to every Outer God you encounter."

"My orders and promises stand for every child of the void."

"Now, you may depart."

"A new guest approaches me."

Lady Xidi gazed into the distance…

"Whoosh…"

"Swish…"

Great spreadings of false wings were gliding upon turbulent waves between the Fantasy Trees of Subspace.

Just then…

"Buzz…"

A tingling itch once more spread through Lady Xidi’s divine form.

A "bird-like dinosaur" rolled its eyes right then and there, nearly tumbling from the branches.

"Honestly…"

"Couldn’t you mind the occasion?"

Lady Xidi muttered her displeasure.