Chapter 14 — Sweet and Cheerful Effort
Chapter 14 — Sweet and Cheerful Effort
Half-elves are a race that inherits only the disadvantages of both elves and humans.
Humans.
A race lacking in physical ability, but possessing the potential to choose any class.
Elves.
A race that lags behind in class diversity but is born with innate Mysteries.
Half-elves, however, were a hopeless hybrid—physically weak and unable to freely choose classes.
Still, as the ancient proverb passed down by our ancestors says, “Even a grub has a talent for rolling.” Even the ugly have at least one thing they can be proud of.
【My eyes feel refreshed for the first time in a while! Pretty one, are you a half-elf?】
“Yes.”
【As expected. Your race is pitiful in many ways, but your appearance is a treasure. Rejoice. I already like you very much!】
The only advantage of half-elves: an extremely high Charm stat.
In labyrinths it often becomes a disadvantage, but when becoming a cultist of Sue’je, it is an enormous advantage.
【Pretty one, lift your head a little higher.】
I obediently followed the command.
【Hmm…? Smile once more. Just once more.】
“No.”
【What?】
“Not once—twice, three times… I will smile whenever you wish.”
I produced a natural-looking smile perfected while dealing with Manager Choi, the office demon.
From far away came a faint, strange chuckle.
【You speak as prettily as you look. What is your name?】
“Kar.”
【Kar. Would you like to become my apostle?】
An apostle among cultists was equivalent to a cardinal just beneath the pope in a good god’s church.
If I accepted, I would immediately become an apostle.
But the cost would be the status abnormality [Fanatic], forcing me to blindly pursue the religious life Sue’je desired.
I had experienced it before. It was not pleasant.
《Ridiculous! If you become Sue’je’s apostle, Lidni will be deeply disappointed!》
Since Lidni lacked the believers needed to curse anyone from the surface world, the threat was rather pitiful.
I shook my head politely.
“I am not yet capable enough to hold such a grand position as apostle.”
【That is not incorrect.】
“I will begin as an ordinary believer and rise step by step. Even if I start from the bottom, my faith will not waver.”
【How admirable!】
《:-(》
Lidni and the Eye That Perceives Truth still seemed worried that I might abandon my faith.
It was an unnecessary concern.
The Evil God I worshiped with heart and soul would always be Lidni alone.
However, that did not mean rejecting other Evil Gods.
Just because you have a favorite member in a group does not mean you dislike the others.
【But pretty one, you already serve that twisted old fossil. Are you sure this is okay?】
Sue’je’s voice suddenly carried concern.
【Anyone who tries to serve multiple Evil Gods inevitably goes mad. If they’re lucky, they merely lose their sanity. More often their minds melt away. I want you as my follower, but I don’t want you to die.】
It was surprisingly kind for an Evil God.
The kindness came from fear—fear that if Sue’je acted too harshly, the already scarce believers might vanish entirely.
Quite different from a certain deity who constantly said, “It wasn’t like this in the old days.”
“I will be fine.”
I smiled confidently.
“My mind is not so fragile that it would break from the honor of worshipping several Evil Gods at once.”
【Is that so?】
Sue’je’s presence briefly swept through my mind.
【Oh? Indeed, there seems to be no problem. Rather than firm… it feels like your mind has already melted once and hardened again.】
I silently nodded.
So the traits really applied.
Before awakening in this world, I had been writing a strategy guide.
A useful guide containing all the knowledge I had accumulated.
Had it been uploaded, it would have overturned the players’ perception that the cultist class was worthless.
And now, I possessed every element from that guide.
Starting faith: Twisted Truth.
Race: Half-elf.
Naturally, the traits were the same.
【I’ve never seen a mental structure like this. No matter how many Evil Gods you worship, your mind won’t break.】
Traits [Blind Devotee] and [Rusting Mind].
The first makes all Evil Gods view you favorably.
The second halves starting Mental Energy but removes the penalties of multiple faiths.
Combined, they allowed one to worship numerous Evil Gods without going insane.
“I’m relieved to hear that. Then I can embrace your authority without hesitation, Sue’je.”
【If you won’t break, there’s no reason to hesitate!】
Crackle!
A hot pain flared near my collarbone.
When I checked beneath my clothes, a black lightning-shaped tattoo had appeared.
《Mark of Violent Thunderclouds.》
《To think I must share you with that disgusting Sue’je. The Wise One is furious….》
Honestly, it looked much cooler than Lidni’s eye symbol.
As I quietly admired the tattoo, another chuckle echoed.
【Pretty one, are you already trying to seduce me with beauty?】
“……”
I lifted my shirt even higher.
A bold service for the new deity.
Sue’je’s voice brightened.
【You know how to please a deity.】
“That’s just how I am.”
【These days believers have terrible faith. But you might be different. Listen carefully—I'll tell you how to practice my faith!】
I already knew, but I listened attentively.
【First, my cultists must cultivate beauty. If they are ugly, they must hide it. If mediocre, they must improve. But you… you can stay as you are.】
The first religious requirement of the Cultists of the Polluted Sky:
Be handsome.
As a half-elf, that was already fulfilled.
【Second, with that handsome face, you must spend sweet, cheerful time playing romantic games with handsome men every day! But lately believers are scarce, so talking with a handsome man for ten minutes a day also counts.】
…The second religious requirement:
Interaction with handsome men.
What kind of deity makes such demands?
Then again, Evil Gods were Evil Gods precisely because their thinking and behavior were abnormal.
In the era when the Polluted Sky Cult flourished on the Western Continent, shameless festivals were held daily in their temples.
Now, with their power diminished, simple conversation sufficed.
“Is that all?”
【You say that as if it’s trivial. Should I expect great things from you?】
“Of course. I, Kar, am a half-elf who will do anything for the command of an Evil God.”
【Oh, you sweet thing! I’ll grant you a basic Mystery as well!】
Another sting burned near my collarbone.
Beneath the lightning tattoo appeared a smaller lightning mark.
《First-Tier Mystery — Black Lightning Bloom (Growth-Type)》
《Allows control over weak black lightning. Pathetic. Even the name is terrible.》
The name was indeed terrible.
Sue’je’s Mysteries were full of childish wordplay that was notoriously difficult to translate.
【I’ll be watching you. Goodbye!】
The electric sensation faded as Sue’je’s presence vanished.
I straightened my clothes and stood.
《Hmph. Are you happy? Go enjoy yourself with Sue’je now!》
“What does Lidni say?”
《The Wise One exercises the right to remain silent.》
Lidni was clearly sulking.
But I was a veteran cultist who had served that petty Evil God thousands of times.
I knew exactly how to appease them.
“Lidni, tomorrow I will spend the entire day at the library devoted to pursuing knowledge.”
As I carried Sue’je’s idol up the stairs, text appeared before my eyes.
《The Wise One smiles with satisfaction. :)》
As always, a very manageable Evil God.
The analysis of the Hidden Pieces I discovered—the Sneaking Ghoul Nest and the Fire Ant Nest—would be handled by the Harmony Church’s labyrinth research order, The Inquiring Lamp.
It would likely take four days.
Which meant the remaining reward would come later.
But rumors would spread sooner.
After all, a rookie explorer had discovered two Hidden Pieces in succession.
Even priests who normally kept secrets would whisper about such news.
Which means… it’s about time.
After receiving permission from a Spear of Order holy knight guarding the cultist district entrance, I headed toward the only library in District Six.
My companion was Abel.
Marlin remained home, bedridden with muscle pain after the labyrinth.
“Patron, why are we going to the library?”
Abel asked politely.
Since yesterday he had shown excessive loyalty.
Apparently trying to make up for his earlier rudeness.
The slums really raise adaptable people.
Even a twelve-year-old knew survival etiquette.
《Considering how terrible the reputation of cultists is, it’s no wonder a kid like him picked a fight with you immediately….》
Probably because I looked weak.
Physically speaking, I was weaker than the siblings.
I placed my hand on Abel’s head.
“To eat books. Cultists of Twisted Truth must eat books regularly.”
“I see.”
“That was a lie.”
“I see.”
…That wasn’t the reaction I expected.
If it were Marlin, she would have shouted back immediately.
“Lidni always thirsts for fresh knowledge. So the faithful must pursue learning and contemplation.”
“A wonderful deity.”
“Especially knowledge about harming others, causing trouble, or collapsing social systems.”
“…A unique deity.”
《The Wise One asks excitedly. What knowledge do you seek?》
Soon we reached a shabby building near the central plaza.
[Leaf of the World Tree]
Despite the grand name, it looked rather worn.
The doorbell rang as we entered.
The smell of old books filled the air.
The librarian was nowhere to be seen.
I walked directly inside.
A corner filled with books nobody borrowed.
Titles included:
[The Aesthetics of Rotten Meat]
[How to Efficiently Steal Snacks from Children]
[Hatred of Cucumbers Is Justified]
“Those titles explain why they’re unpopular.”
“It means the librarian is insane.”
Still, treasures occasionally appeared among trash.
After searching for some time, I finally found one.
[I Will Tell You Everything About the Nightmare Dungeon!]
A strategy guide for the Nightmare Dungeon.
Intriguing.
At present only four of fifty floors had been cleared.
How could it claim to know everything?
《Ridiculous. Better used as firewood.》
I agreed.
Still, as long as Lidni was satisfied, it didn’t matter.
I went to the fourth floor reading room.
“Comfortable room.”
“Abel, pick a book too.”
“I’ll rest first.”
“Fine.”
I sat by the window and began reading.
Some parts were correct.
Others were completely wrong.
The book claimed the dungeon would wait forever.
In truth, after five years a catastrophe would occur.
The final floor’s Great Demon would lead an army of monsters to destroy the world.
There were also the Six Apostles operating secretly in the surface world.
If we wasted time, the world would end.
So I must seize this opportunity.
Suddenly—
The magic lamp went out.
Darkness filled the room.
When the light returned, an elf stood in the corner.
Short red hair.
Eyes equally red.
A mask covering nose and mouth.
A dark outfit suited for stealth.
It matched the appearance of a silent assassin from my memories.
You’ve arrived.
The guest I absolutely had to befriend had appeared.