Campiones and Heretic Gods are sworn enemies—not merely a law of nature, but a destiny inscribed since ancient times, when humans first rebelled against the gods.
They are born from an irreconcilable conflict: Heretic Gods, who abandon their myths and wreak havoc on the earth, and Campiones, humans who have slain gods and stolen their powers, standing as the ultimate predators in the supernatural hierarchy.
So, when Ren saw the Heretic God standing atop the churning floodwaters—just a few dozen meters ahead—his body reacted instinctively, surging with power to prepare for battle.
Not only that, his body released adrenaline at a rate hundreds of times higher than that of a normal human.
This was why every Campione was a battle maniac. How could anyone remain a lover of peace when their body radiated euphoria from adrenaline surges equivalent to standing on the edge of death for hours? Even the most peaceful saint would turn into a bloodthirsty killer if forced to endure this.
"So, you're indeed a Campione. I sensed your repulsive aura from hundreds of meters away."
The voice was haughty, dripping with disdain, as if merely speaking was a form of judgment. Each word from the Heretic God resounded like a decree from a heavenly throne.
Ignoring the god's arrogant demeanor, Ren asked flatly, "What's your name?"
"Why should I reveal my noble identity to a thief? You're unworthy."
"What's wrong? Are you afraid that once I know your name, your weaknesses will be exposed? Coward."
"What did you say?! How dare a lowly thief call me a coward! Insolent!"
Ren's provocation successfully ignited the god's wrath.
*BOOM!*
Instantly, the sky above Cirebon erupted. Lightning struck relentlessly—not one or two bolts, but hundreds descending simultaneously, hammering the ground, water, and sky, producing thunder that shook the earth.
The already heavy rain turned into a torrential storm, pouring like a colossal waterfall. The floodwaters surged suddenly—two meters, three meters—sweeping away debris, cars, and even houses still standing.
Yet Ren remained unmoved. The water reached his waist, the wind battered his face, but his feet stayed firm.
(As expected, most Heretic Gods have immense pride, especially those high in their pantheon. Arrogance is their natural trait.)
Facing the natural disaster triggered by the Heretic God's fury, Ren wasn't fazed in the slightest. His reason for asking the god's identity wasn't to uncover weaknesses but pure curiosity.
"Very well, there's no harm in telling you. After all, you'll be dead soon."
Despite facing a Campione—a human who achieved the feat of slaying a god—the Heretic God didn't take him seriously, revealing his supreme confidence in his power.
"Listen well, vile thief. I am Batara Guru, King of the Gods, ruler of the heavens!"
The Heretic God named Batara Guru proclaimed his name with pride, as if he alone was revered in heaven and earth.
(Oh, King of the Gods? Interesting! I've never fought a Heretic God of this caliber! His Divine Authority must be powerful, right? It'll be mine.)
It took Ren a moment to search his mind for information about Batara Guru. After all, the title "King of the Gods" alone indicated the strength of his opponent.
In Javanese mythology, in ancient times when the universe was newly formed, the gods lacked a single leader. They were sacred beings inhabiting the heavens, each with their own powers and roles. However, harmony was often disrupted by competing interests, necessitating a regulator, a leader to establish order in the heavens.
From the womb of Goddess Uma was born a mighty god—Batara Guru, later called the King of the Gods. His form was described as majestic and commanding, exuding an authority that made other gods bow. From the start, he was destined to lead, not just due to his power but his ability to maintain balance between heaven, earth, and all within.
As the ruler of the heavens, Batara Guru held the highest position at the peak of Mount Mahameru, the throne of the gods. From there, he oversaw the human world and the cosmos.
He was the King of the Gods. Every god, every celestial being, every sacred creature in the heavens obeyed his commands. He determined when rain fell, when mountains erupted, when rivers flowed, and when harvests flourished. He governed the seasons with a golden gong struck once every thousand years. His voice wasn't just a sound—it was the law of nature itself.
For the Javanese people, Batara Guru wasn't merely the ruler of the heavens. He was also a symbol of the true teacher—a figure who provided guidance, led in the ways of life, and served as a source of dharma. Thus, his name was revered in prayers, honored in wayang performances, and held as a model for those seeking truth.
(In the Campione universe, the identities of gods aren't singular but syncretic. A single god may have other identities in different mythologies. Take Perseus for example, whom Godou fought in the original work—Perseus was also Mithras, the King of Gods and Sun God of ancient Persia.)
Recalling this, Ren quickly guessed Batara Guru's other identity.
(The Destroyer God Shiva…)
In his mind, he connected Batara Guru to Hindu mythology.
In the religious and mythological traditions of the Nusantara, especially during the Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Majapahit, Old Mataram, and Srivijaya, a process of syncretism occurred—a blending of local beliefs with Hindu and Buddhist teachings from India. In this process, Indian gods were adapted into local culture, often given names, traits, and roles aligned with the cosmology and social structure of Nusantara society.
One of the clearest examples of this syncretism was the identification of Batara Guru with Shiva.
Through syncretism, the people of Nusantara didn't merely adopt Indian gods but adapted and "Indonesianized" them. In this process, Shiva, the Destroyer God in Hinduism, was identified with Batara Guru due to similarities in function, attributes, and position as the supreme deity. Thus, Batara Guru was the local manifestation of Shiva, a fusion of Hindu religion and indigenous Nusantara spiritual culture.
Therefore, calling Batara Guru Shiva wasn't a mistake but a reflection of the rich cultural and spiritual dialogue between Indian and local traditions, characteristic of Indonesia's Hindu-Buddhist civilization.
"Why are you suddenly silent, thief?" Batara Guru misunderstood, assuming Ren's silence was a sign of fear. "Are you so terrified after hearing my name that you're speechless?"
Ren didn't answer. He only shook his head, his gaze scornful. "Hmph, your personality is awful. You're even more arrogant than Atlas and Kinich Ahau."
Among the seven Heretic Gods he had defeated, Atlas and Kinich Ahau were notorious for their unmatched arrogance. Yet Batara Guru surpassed them with ease.
"Blasphemy! How dare a lowly thief like you look at me with such eyes! You shall face divine punishment!"
Displeased with Ren's gaze, Batara Guru had no more patience for talk. The already dark sky grew even blacker, and the wind howled, carrying debris from shattered buildings. He raised his hand, palm facing the sky, summoning his power. A bolt of lightning struck, illuminating his enraged face.
At the same time, Ren smiled. "Interesting. I'm curious—can your power defeat me?"