Once a Believer, Always a Believer
Carvanog was dumbfounded by Tae-hyun's ruthless evaluation. The only reason the demons look stupid and lacking in grit is because of you...
Since I'm his lieutenant, I might be able to get close to the Demon Duke.
"Lord Nekanet-sal!"
"Ah. Yes, Lieutenant. What is it you wish to do?"
Nekanet-sal's Commission
⊳ Nekanet-sal is attempting to assign you a mission!
⊳ Your evaluation will vary depending on the difficulty of the mission you choose to undertake.
⊳ The easier the difficulty, the higher the success rate, but the lower the evaluation.
⊳ [...]
⊳ [...]
Several quests popped up in front of Tae-hyun. They ranged from training various undead to expanding the domain of death, or even creating more subordinates for the Hungry Chaos! But these ordinary quests weren't what Tae-hyun was after.
"I want to subjugate the Demon Duke!"
"—!"
"As expected...!"
"What incredible ambition!"
The black mages marveled from behind. Nekanet-sal briefly contemplated whether he should kick those fellows out. Their constant chiming in from the sidelines was starting to get on his nerves.
"Lord Nekanet-sal! For the longest time, it has highly irritated me to see those wretched demons acting so high and mighty across the continent! I believe it is the duty of a black mage to show those bastards the stinging power of black magic!"
Capturing and enslaving undead or demons had always been a specialty of black mages. Proving one's capability lay in how powerful of a creature one could capture and control! However, Nekanet-sal did not grant permission to subjugate the Demon Duke.
⚠️ Your reputation within the current faction is too low!
⚠️ Your Contribution Points within the current faction are too low!
❌ You cannot accept this quest!
Although he had been appointed as the lieutenant right away, his reputation and Contribution Points were still too low to participate in the sealing of the Demon Duke!
Damn it. Tae-hyun smacked his lips. He wanted to make contact with the Demon Duke as soon as possible, but to be blocked like this... Do I have to clear a few quests first? They all look like they'll take way too long.
Above all, clearing the quests listed here would strengthen the Hungry Chaos faction with every completion. In his attempt to reach the Demon Duke, he might end up just aiding the enemy.
"Lord Nekanet-sal, isn't this a bit too much?! He is a young man overflowing with talent!"
"They say people change as they grow older..."
"Look at him, refusing to give the youth a chance. Did he not feel sorrow when he was young?"
At the black mages' clamor, Nekanet-sal exploded in irritation.
"Will you all shut up and get lost?! You imperial specters!"
"Come now, Lord Nekanet-sal, we are all growing old together. Don't be like that."
"Hmph."
The black mages grumbled as they backed away. Although they revered Nekanet-sal, these black mages who had survived since the era of the Ancient Empire possessed formidable personalities. They quietly said everything they wanted to say!
As expected, I have to persuade him. Tae-hyun decided to butter Nekanet-sal up a bit more. But how? I've already used my Speech skill plenty... Should I try singing or cooking first?
Cooking
⊳ Additional bonus applied to undead targets...
Fortunately, Tae-hyun possessed a cooking skill specialized for the undead. A soul-stirring dish that allowed even the undead, who lacked a sense of taste, to savor flavor! Although he had no ingredients because he had left Towang-i behind, Tae-hyun was originally capable of cooking even with dirt.
Carvanog advises you to cook somewhere out of Nekanet-sal's sight.
True enough. No matter how many of the black mages here were liches who had died long ago, they wouldn't be pleased to know he was using dirt from the side of the road.
◈ Effect: Allows undead to taste flavor.
◈ Description: A pie made of dirt, but so perfectly crafted that no one would guess its ingredients.
Surprisingly, a piping hot pie was completed. If the name were hidden, absolutely no one would ever suspect it was made of mud.
⚠️ You have attempted to cook in a place overflowing with the power of the Hungry Chaos!
✨ The power of the Hungry Chaos is infused into the dish!
🔄 [Warm Mud Pie] has transformed into [Chaos-infused Mud Pie]!
Hmm. Another flavor has been added.
Carvanog says he probably won't care. In fact, he'll likely love it even more...
Carvanog paused mid-sentence, then offered another piece of advice.
Carvanog asks you to carve a rabbit shape on top of the pie.
Why? To make him feel bad?
......
Carvanog sulked for the first time in a while. Flustered, Tae-hyun quickly explained.
No, think about it. Sure, he used to go to the Karbanog Temple, but that was ages ago. Besides, he's a subordinate of the Hungry Chaos now. Wouldn't showing him the god he used to worship only make him uncomfortable?
Carvanog is convinced. However, it believes it is still worth a try.
You're only saying that because he's your believer, aren't you? Tae-hyun muttered, but he obediently carved a rabbit shape onto the pie anyway. Honestly, he didn't think it would make that much of a difference... and he also felt a little sorry for Carvanog.
"Lord Nekanet-sal. I have baked a pie for you!"
As the piping hot, sweet-smelling mud pie was presented before him, Nekanet-sal stared at Tae-hyun in disbelief.
"Lieutenant. Surely you know that the undead do not eat food. Are you mocking me... No, wait. This smells incredible!"
✨ Additional effects applied due to Soul Cooking!
😋 Nekanet-sal is highly satisfied!
📈 Your Cooking skill has increased!
Nekanet-sal marveled at the absurdly skilled cooking. It was a pleasure he hadn't experienced since becoming undead!
"Lieutenant. You are highly talented. As expected of a descendant of Lord Nebuchadnezzar. I, too, was close with Lord Nebuchadnezzar."
Carvanog tells him to stop talking absolute bullshit!
Shh. "What kind of person was Lord Nebuchadnezzar?"
"Uh, well, he had a fine build, a robust frame, a very amiable personality, was highly popular, respected by everyone... yes, he was that sort of man."
Wow. It's so painfully obvious he's never actually met Nebuchadnezzar. From the perspective of Tae-hyun, who had personally clashed with the resurrected Nebuchadnezzar, this was utterly ridiculous. How could a guy whose entire personality was "I'll kill every living thing and make them my subordinates, mwahaha!" be described as amiable and popular? But now was the time to play along with Nekanet-sal.
"Indeed, he sounds just like you, Lord Nekanet-sal!"
Supreme Eloquence
📈 Nekanet-sal's Affinity has increased significantly!
"W-what nonsense. Hmph."
This guy is going to be easier than I thought. Tae-hyun realized Nekanet-sal was surprisingly easy to handle. Of course, his level and abilities were monstrous, but his personality was a bit... like Cain's!
"Anyway, I shall enjoy this. Hmm... Oh?"
Nekanet-sal suddenly froze upon seeing the rabbit shape carved on top of the pie.
"Is something the matter?"
"What is this rabbit?"
"Oh, it's just a popular trend on the outside, so I carved it in."
"Mmm. Go wait outside."
Nekanet-sal suddenly dismissed Tae-hyun. Seeing this, Tae-hyun couldn't help but feel anxious.
What? Did I fail? He hadn't expected a simple rabbit shape to change much, but why was he acting like this?
🥺 Nekanet-sal is deeply moved by the rabbit shape!
📈 Your Cooking skill has increased significantly!
📈 Nekanet-sal's Affinity has skyrocketed!
"???????"
Occasionally, if you cooked a dish that perfectly matched an NPC's hidden tastes, it would trigger a massive multiplier effect. But he certainly hadn't expected it to work in a situation like this.
Carvanog smugly remarks that once a believer, always a believer...
No, that makes absolutely no sense. He's a black mage who defected to the Hungry Chaos. How much time has passed, and you think he still...
"Lord Carvanog...! Sniffle, sob!"
"......"
Tae-hyun was left utterly speechless.
Wait... the Karbanog Church is actually kind of amazing?!
"Lord Nekanet-sal! Faith in Carvanog is nothing to be ashamed of! Compared to the Sadiq or Akisus faiths, it is an incredibly wholesome religion!"
Slam!
Tae-hyun did not miss this opportunity. Now that he knew the other party still held faith in Carvanog, he had to exploit it!
"W-what! Didn't I tell you to wait outside?!" Nekanet-sal snapped irritably. How dare a mere lieutenant barge in!
"You still believe in Carvanog, don't you?!"
"I do not! I would never worship such a trivial god! Uttering such blasphemy will cost you your life!"
Carvanog flares up, asking who that bastard thinks he's talking to...
"The Karbanog Church still exists! Surprisingly, quite a few people on the continent still worship him."
"Don't speak such nonsense! The church disappeared ages ago! Even the secret temples have long since crumbled to dust!"
"That's not true! What's more, I have personally obtained Lord Carvanog's sacred relic and even conversed with him!"
Tae-hyun decided to show him proof. Carvanog's Authority!
Nekanet-sal gasped in shock at the sight of the divine authority that allowed Tae-hyun to transform into a rabbit.
"Why does a black mage like you believe in Carvanog?"
A sharp question! Tae-hyun subtly deflected.
"Because you believe in him too, Lord Nekanet-sal!"
"No... I no longer believe in Lord Carvanog. I am a servant of the Hungry Chaos!"
"Our meeting like this is undoubtedly Lord Carvanog's divine guidance! Why do you follow the Hungry Chaos?!"
"Because the Hungry Chaos bestowed immense power upon me, whereas Lord Carvanog gave me nothing..."
"......"
Carvanog gets angry, asking how you could possibly be speechless at a time like this!
But he's right. Hit squarely with the truth, Tae-hyun couldn't find a retort. It was a fact! Just joining the Hungry Chaos granted all sorts of lavish powers and authorities, whereas Carvanog, at best... gave some rabbit-related bonuses? Tae-hyun's mind raced.
"I admit the Hungry Chaos is powerful. The strength he bestows is indeed incredible, but surely that power comes with a price?"
"Ugh..."
"But did Lord Carvanog not love us unconditionally, without demanding anything in return?"
"Argh! I don't want to hear it! Get out!"
⚖️ Nekanet-sal's resolve is wavering!
🚫 You can no longer converse with him for now.
✨ Effect of [Supreme Eloquence] applied!
📈 Nekanet-sal's Affinity has increased.
Nekanet-sal kicked Tae-hyun out. However, the system messages made it clear: this conversation had been highly meaningful!
I can't believe such a ridiculous persuasion attempt actually worked. Who would have thought that a cold-blooded black mage, a servant of the Hungry Chaos, would be swayed by his former faith!
Carvanog boasts that this is simply the power of its divine presence.
Sure, sure. You're amazing, Carvanog. Tae-hyun wondered what would have happened if Nekanet-sal had been a believer of the Akisus Church. Hmm... I probably would have ignored him immediately. It was a desolate faith completely devoid of trust!
"Lord Nekanet-sal!"
"I don't want to hear it!"
"Lord Nekanet-sal!!"
"I said, I don't want to hear it!"
"Lord Nekanet-sal!!!!"
"Someone take this fellow away! Let him do whatever he wants, just tell him to leave me alone!"
Nekanet-sal's usual charisma was nowhere to be found; he was completely helpless against Tae-hyun. Normally, he would have ruthlessly executed any subordinate who dared to step out of line, but Tae-hyun was a believer of Carvanog. The last remaining shred of Nekanet-sal's conscience prevented him from laying a hand on him.
"Haha. The ambition of this young fellow is truly..."
"A noble bloodline is indeed different."
The black mages nodded in satisfaction. Wow, they said he was Nebuchadnezzar's descendant, and he really is something else!
🔓 You have obtained permission to access the Demon Duke, Gusirek!
Ah. I should head over to Gusirek first.
Carvanog asks you to persuade Nekanet-sal a bit more!
Carvanog, we have to leave him alone for now. Persuasion is all about hitting and running.
Carvanog remarks that no matter how it looks, you're only backing off because you're greedy for the Demon Duke.
Eyes gleaming with avarice! No matter how one looked at it, he was clearly acting this way because he desperately wanted to get his hands on the Demon Duke.