[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-god-through-horror":3,"chapter-becoming-a-god-through-horror-becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-158":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Becoming a God Through Horror",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273701,4441,"Chapter 158: Guidance, Warning: Prey and Hunter","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-158",158,"\u003Cp>Seeing the old man’s emotions grow increasingly agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis had silently withdrawn with Jiali to the shop’s entrance, ready to burst out at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the old man had not yet lost all reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, when the colorful feathers on his crown shimmered with light, the old man regained his composure and turned to look at Louis and the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you for the information, half-breed priest and witch. I am the chief shaman of the Native Americans, Red Sun. You may call me Red.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you tell me who did this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half-breed priest? Witch?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, no wonder they didn’t attack us—now it makes sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis instantly understood: his divine aura must be glaringly obvious to this chief shaman, especially as a half-breed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with the old man’s earlier outburst, at least among certain radical Christian factions, he and this chief shaman could barely be called kindred spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as a witch—a being shunned by the Church—she was naturally an ally of his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is truly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his emotions, Louis smiled faintly. “As for that, I know a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It has to do with who was guarding and exploiting that severed hand… there’s a new company called W…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis subtly steered blame toward Company W, though he wasn’t certain they were responsible—it didn’t matter. He could speculate, suspect, and imply it was them. As long as he told the chief shaman these words, the man would make his own judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After patiently listening to Louis’s deductions, the Red Shaman asked, “Do you know where this company is located?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then you asked the right person—I have no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Louis shake his head, the Red Shaman’s face darkened. Suddenly, he pulled out an object: a solid red wooden board, still partially covered in bark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This contains methods of communicating with deities. I believe it will be useful to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis did not take it. He looked at the Red Shaman. “What do you want me to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much. Just keep an eye on Company W. If you hear anything, let me know. Also, could you look after a few of my tribal kin in Florida?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Shaman’s expression was pleading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Native American tribes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the United States and Brazil had established reserves for Native Americans, granting them nominal status equal to states, in reality these reserves were nothing more than zoos—cages for monkeys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Economically backward, with high unemployment, under constant surveillance, lacking any guarantee of medical care, food, or employment—they were deliberately constructed slums!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And helping his tribe… yes, he could. He had the ability. Moreover, despite open discrimination, Native Americans still had voting rights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, when establishing a Daoist branch, he could absorb them as his base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They suffered discrimination, lacked security, struggled just to survive, and weren’t as volatile as Black people—they made excellent ground to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, perhaps I’ll try it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could simply agree—but that wasn’t how things were done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis feigned difficulty. “Chief Shaman, you know well how the local government treats Native Americans. Even the reserves are scattered like islands among the forests. Helping them means facing both practical constraints and government pressure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t an easy task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’ll cost more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shaman’s lip twitched. He realized this half-breed priest still carried the instincts of those white bandits—truly…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever. He was the only one trustworthy and capable enough to aid his people. He’d endure it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, the Shaman pulled another item from beneath the table: a gleaming red ruby ring. “I see you’re a priest of the Fire God. You’ll appreciate this. It doubles flame power and enhances your control over fire, requiring only daily sun exposure to maintain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, this ring signifies my status. Show it to the major tribes in Florida—they’ll obey your commands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, do you accept?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis: “Of course. Even without these items, I’d gladly help the poor souls oppressed by the U.S. government.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Shaman stared silently at Louis’s swift hand snatching up both items—saying nothing, yet saying everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis paid no mind. He handed the items to Jiali, then looked at the Shaman with sincere expression. “Rest assured. I’ll provide medical services, create jobs, and build infrastructure. I can’t promise wealth, but I’ll guarantee basic security.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Company W—truthfully, I have a minor grudge against them too. If I get any information, I won’t withhold it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Shaman nodded. “I believe you. But remember what you’ve said today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis met his gaze calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any other items you’d like to purchase?” the Shaman asked, settling into his recliner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. Wishing you prosperous business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis and Jiali stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they left, a voice drifted softly into Louis’s ear: “Don’t buy dolls like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis glanced back and saw the man casually handling a plain, feminine-looking doll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis narrowed his eyes slightly—he recognized it. Then he and Jiali left quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding ding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Louis depart, Red placed the doll back on the shelf. Staring at it, he seemed to see something, and burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Malthus. Hehe. Hahaha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a phone rang. Red’s expression froze, then calmed. He answered. A low, rasping voice came through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Native American, the ritual materials you provided are insufficient. I need more. I trust you can supply them, yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red’s lips curled slightly. “Of course, my ‘friend.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out of the doll shop, Louis took a deep breath, calming himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiali finally spoke, serious. “Louis, what’s wrong? Was he intimidating you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes kept flicking toward the shop, her mental energy subtly stirring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. He just gave me a warning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay away from dolls. Avoid any place with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiali didn’t understand why, she nodded. Louis never spoke without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, there was a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the doll the Shaman had been handling was unmistakably the Annabelle doll!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Annabelle is from the Conjuring series—its body harbors a demon named Malthus, powerful, nearly a Great Demon, possibly even one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing such a being unprepared? Louis had no intention of doing so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Back home. Hai Li has probably started planning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis and Jiali headed toward Hai Li’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hai Li had indeed begun planning. Thanks to her short stature—perhaps delayed development—she looked exactly like a middle schooler in her uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began mimicking Tang Na’s habits: buying Lei Jina’s videos, photo cards, light signs, and loitering near the school gate, occasionally joining other girls who flocked after idols on the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target appeared quickly—perhaps because Hai Li seemed too innocent, too pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One seemingly accidental encounter at the end of an alley: a gentlemanly man with a camera bumped into a girl lost in admiration of Lei Jina’s photos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He politely invited her to coffee as an apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, he used mature male humor to make her laugh, then casually revealed he was a photographer who often shot celebrity photo sessions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He successfully captured her attention and steered the conversation toward their shared passion: idol worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the girl wanted autographs and better photos. They exchanged phone numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, see you next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s youthful, radiant smile sent Jeff’s heart racing. Such a smile—so beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding his camera, Jeff returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a journalist with a secondary, more lucrative career as a celebrity photographer, he had money—and even rented a decent-looking house. It might seem wasteful, but he needed a spacious, private space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a box, removed a memory card, and savored the photos inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Youthful, beautiful, innocent, pure…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—screams, agony, pallor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He licked his lips, eyes filled with desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding ding…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phone rang. “Hello, Jeff? Lei Jina needs you on Sunday. Also, the paper wants you to interview Shi Lei Company—they’ve developed a drug that causes weight loss and enhances charm, and are about to announce it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must get there first. Get the exclusive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.” Jeff hung up, annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew why the paper sent him to Shi Lei Company: they had shares in Lei Jina’s ventures, and since he was closer to Lei Jina, they were using him to get inside access.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn capitalists!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to vent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hai Li… Hai Li…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad, Hai Li wasn’t in his grasp yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only stare at the screen, at the vibrant young figures, and do his work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small girl dressed in a red hood walked down the street, her expression gradually growing indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prey?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hunter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could tell the difference?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1416,"2026-06-19T23:34:28.869Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","54ea44bb0769b4685da08da9d01248b9aaf73c22cd1874c195a62c73f095da2e","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-159","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-157",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-god-through-horror-cover.jpg"]