The Art of the Deal
"Back then, the Archisus Church was so powerful and teeming with legendary heroes that the other churches were reluctant to include us."
"...I-I see."
Ahdael spoke with absolute confidence, but Tae-hyun didn't fully believe them. He was certain the Archisus Church had probably beaten the other churches to a pulp. There was no way they hadn't!
"Still, I did hear a few things after the failed expedition returned."
"That's a relief."
Ahdael began drawing a map based on the information they had gathered from the other churches.
An incomplete map has been added.
This alone was a huge help. The previous raid parties had either wiped out too quickly or retreated immediately, leaving a severe lack of information. He could figure out the details once they got inside...
"Is there anything we should watch out for?"
"Since it's a dangerous place, it would be best to go with the other churches."
"Huh? Really?"
Tae-hyun was genuinely puzzled. Of course, he had no intention of refusing cooperation with other churches. But hearing this from Ahdael of all people was bizarre. Ahdael was a notorious hardliner even within the Archisus Church. After all, the three-headed, six-armed race was historically the most combative and bloodthirsty faction in the entire order.
"Yes. Put them in the front and use them as meat shields. If things go south, throw them to the monsters as bait."
"...Right..."
Tae-hyun nodded slowly at Ahdael's follow-up. Of course! That's more like it.
Forming the Expedition
The emergence of the Hungry Chaos poses a threat to all churches on the continent. Since they are likely aware of the current situation, there is a high probability they will join the expedition if persuaded by the Avatar.
Persuade friendly churches first to form an expedition!
🎁 Reward: ?, ???
"Uh... well..."
Friendly churches...
Karbanog claims that we are on very good terms with the Karbanog Church.
'Thanks. That's incredibly comforting.'
"I guess we're relatively close with the Demer Church and the Henen Church."
The Demer Church, dedicated to the Goddess of Earth and Healing, was the most popular church on the continent—not just among players, but among other churches. And they were on decent terms with Archisus...
The Henen Church, the god of thieves, had gotten pretty close to them recently.
'Come to think of it, I only seem to get close to sketchy or pity-inducing groups.'
"Won't that be a bit lacking?"
"Then what?"
"I noticed the heroes of each church are up there," Ahdael said, pointing toward the Sky Castle.
Ahdael had been deeply moved when they first saw the (elderly) heroes of each church locked up in the Archisus Church with their memories wiped. No other Pope in history had achieved such a feat! Seeing such brilliant talent, Ahdael was convinced that even if there were no gods on the continent, the future of the Archisus Church would be blindingly bright.
"Your Holiness must have kidnapped them in preparation for a time like this, right? To blackmail those other churches?"
"No. It wasn't such a deep, wicked intention..."
"Oh, come now. There's no need to be so modest."
"..."
"Let's put them to use. We can sell them back for a hefty price at a time like this, can't we? Don't just sell them, though—blackmail them ruthlessly. Threaten to kill them if they don't take them back..."
'I should just sell them normally.'
Tae-hyun filtered out half of Ahdael's words. The moment he followed that advice, the Archisus Church would become public enemy number one.
"Understood. Let's give it a try."
The elderly heroes in the Sky Castle were indeed in an awkward spot. Ever since they were frozen solid by a Demon Duke, their condition was poor, they couldn't fight for long, and they were incredibly forgetful... Plus, Tae-hyun couldn't even deploy them properly outside for fear of other churches finding out. It might actually be better to sell them off for a high price now.
"Whoa! It's an envoy from the Archisus Church!"
Players were amazed by the flashy procession. Carriages bearing the flags of the Archisus Church were racing down the road in a grand display.
It was a rare event that they didn't see every day!
"Looks like they're heading to the Phytos Church!?"
"There must be a quest coming up!"
If two major churches were communicating like this, there was a high probability that a quest would be generated. The players rushed after them with high expectations.
"...Which church?"
"We are from the Archisus Church."
"Tell them I'm not here!"
"U-Um, the representative from the Archisus Church said it's useless to pretend you're not here."
"..."
Huridos, one of the Archbishops of the Phytos Order, looked dumbfounded. He didn't expect them to predict his move so easily.
"...Tell them to come in."
"Will that be alright, Archbishop?"
"Ugh. We have no choice."
The Phytos Order was one of the major religious factions on the continent. Unlike the Archisus Church, which barely had a couple of bishops who were basically ghosts, the Phytos Order had multiple Archbishops. They bickered and cooperated, growing larger... but all Archbishops agreed on one thing: Do not associate with the Archisus Church!
Historically, nothing good ever came from getting involved with them, and it was especially true after their revival. The new Pope and his underlings were far too capable. They took over a kingdom, manipulated people with their silver tongues... Huridos was not pleased to meet them.
"I am Pelmas!"
"...Greetings. I am Huridos, a humble servant and Archbishop of Phytos."
"I see. My title is Pelmas, the great servant of Archisus, as well as the Church Scribe, Administrator, Magistrate, and Diplomat."
"..."
Huridos stared at Pelmas with a look of utter disbelief. What kind of crazy bastard was this? And does a devout priest usually put "great" right after their god's name?
"...What brings you here?"
"Actually, our great Pope has discovered an ancient hero of your order."
"!"
The Archbishop was shocked. With their long history, many heroes had gone missing. If they found one, they had to bring them back at all costs. It was a chance to recover lost skills, knowledge, and items!
"...That is truly wonderful news!"
The Archbishop's attitude softened immediately. To think the Archisus Church would actually do something good. It was truly shocking.
Pelmas cleared his throat. Now came the important part.
"Ahem. However, our Pope is currently organizing an expedition to face the Hungry Chaos..."
"!!"
Hungry Chaos? To the Phytos Order, it was just as threatening as Archisus—no, even more so.
"Wouldn't it be wonderful if the outstanding heroes of the Phytos Order joined this expedition?"
"Mmm!"
"Surely you wouldn't refuse us after we went through all this trouble to return them. If you do refuse, well... who knows what will happen to that hero..."
"Are you blackmailing me right now?!"
"It's not blackmail, just... stating facts..."
The Archbishop was flabbergasted. What kind of people were these?
"Actually, you were originally part of the Phytos Order. Do you understand?"
Supreme Eloquence
The target's memory has been severely damaged by the Demon Duke's magic.
The meaning of your words is being transmitted incorrectly!
"Heh. I see. You want me to infiltrate the Phytos Order and act as a spy?"
"...No, elder. That's not it."
Tae-hyun was flustered. Even with the Supreme Eloquence skill, he couldn't get through to this hard-of-hearing old man!
"Elder, you were originally from the Phytos Order, but due to a misunderstanding, you thought you belonged to the Archisus Church. Do you understand?"
"Oh, young man. Who do you take me for? I understand. That's my cover story, right?"
Obeltan, the old hero of Phytos, winked. He could easily play along with that cover!
"...Yes, exactly. Go and do a good job as a spy."
Karbanog is horrified, asking what on earth you are doing!
'No, I did my best. I tried to act in good faith.'
Tae-hyun was human too; he didn't want to be on bad terms with every church. At first, the church was completely ruined, so he had to use rough methods to expand, but now he wanted to play nice. His hostility stats had just been reset as a quest reward, so he wanted to show some goodwill... but the world kept pushing him into a corner. If he used Supreme Eloquence and the old man still didn't get it, what could he do?
The Trojan Horse Strategy
Once upon a time, the Archisus Church built a magnificent wooden horse and placed it in front of a rival church's fortress. The foolish enemy church brought the beautiful wooden horse inside, and the assassins hidden within emerged to wipe out the fortress.
The lesson to be learned here is to always have a traitor in place who can strike down the opponent at any moment!
Successfully plant a spy in the church. This will be of great help later.
🎁 Reward: ?, ???
'Even the quest is pushing me. I have no choice now.'
The identified heroes of the Phytos Order, Tyran Church, Neibaku Church, and Beretarba Church bid their farewells and left for their respective churches.
"Don't get caught!"
"You too! Hehehe!"
Watching them leave, Tae-hyun felt a sudden wave of anxiety. Did he make the right choice?
'Am I acting too much like a lunatic right now?'
Karbanog remains silent.
Tae-hyun gathered information while preparing. He was most curious about other parties.
"Ever since three or four famous raid parties failed, everyone has stopped going there."
"...We have no choice then. Da-bi, let's post on the forums. Say that the Hungry Chaos is incredibly popular among rankers."
"Yes!"
"...!"
Lee Se-yeon was horrified watching fake news being manufactured in real-time. She didn't usually trust forum rumors, but seeing this made her realize she should never trust them again. Terrifying!
"I hope this gets more rankers to challenge it."
"Oh, there are people challenging it right now?"
"What? They fell for it already?"
"We haven't even posted it yet. They're broadcasting it live right here."
A green wave filled the screen. Seeing that familiar sight, Tae-hyun muttered:
"No... Father..."
It was Kim Tae-san and the Orc Ahjussis whispering and preparing for the raid.
"Brother, do we really have to enter the Hungry Chaos? I have a wife and kids at home who only look to me."
"Isn't that because you play games in your capsule on weekends instead of playing with your kids?"
"...No... that's too harsh..."
"What's harsh about it? Don't say weird things while gaming."
The Orc Ahjussis didn't want to enter the Hungry Chaos. They were old, their reflexes were slow, and they had no advantage over younger players. Even top rankers avoided it, so why would these middle-aged men want to go in?
"But Bong-sik is challenging it at his age. We have to help him."
"......"
The Ahjussis shut their mouths, unable to argue.
Ju Bong-sik. One of the Ahjussis... and one of the contestants in the Pan-On All-Star Super Player audition show.