Matthews watched the move, and it inspired him to build on his earlier insight into the Water Element's Profound Truth of Roundness and Softness.
"Boom—"
The Laws of the World descended, and Matthews became a Lowgod in the Water Element. Under the protection of the Laws of the World, he chose External Godhood! Once the protection of the Laws of the World had passed, a Lowgod charged at Matthews. Matthews put away his Water Divine Clone and faced the Lowgod again with his Thunder Divine Clone.
Elsewhere, after the second-in-command of the bandits, Biber, had deflected the Fire Element Midgod's attack at close range, he once again struck with the Profound Truth of Ice Blade. In that instant, the Fire Element Midgod failed to defend in time, and the ice slowed him down. Biber seized the opportunity to kill him.
During the battle, Matthews noticed that several of the Lowgods who had come with him had died.
Biber walked up to Matthews and gave him a word of encouragement. "Not bad. Keep up the good work."
Then he hummed a tune and happily headed back. The hunt had gone pretty well this time. They had squeezed plenty of riches out of the merchant caravan that had hired the Fire Element Midgod. As for the Lowgods who had died, no one cared.
After that, Matthews and Asolun followed Biber on several more hunts. A few times, they came back empty-handed.
One day, Zoro came to see Matthews and Asolun and immediately said, "Each of you, hand over a Lowgod Divine Spark."
Asolun asked in confusion, "Huh? Why?"
"Did you think you could stay here without paying tribute? The chief has to protect your safety. Paying one Lowgod Divine Spark a year is the rule."
Matthews took two Lowgod Divine Sparks from